New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Sean Payton, Saints rewarded for sticking together through lean years

Now that Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints are back on top as the NFC's No. 1 seed, it seems almost crazy they considered splitting up three years ago after three straight 7-9 seasons.

But then again, this renaissance over the past two years is rare in NFL history.

During the Super Bowl era, only six coaches have lasted more than 10 years with the same team and had at least two 11-win seasons after that first decade was over: Bill Belichick (nine), Tom Landry (eight), Don Shula (six), Payton (two), Bill Cowher (two) and Marvin Lewis (two).

Don't eat the cheese

Quote:

Still Winning After A Decade
NFL head coaches who had 11-win seasons after their first decade with one team, along with the number of division titles each won after that 10-year mark:
COACH, YEARS WITH TEAM 11-WIN SEASONS AFTER A DECADE DIVISION TITLES
Bill Belichick, NE, 2000-2018 9 9
Tom Landry, DAL, 1960-1988 8 9
Don Shula, MIA, 1970-1995 6 7
Sean Payton, NOR, 2006-2018 2 2
Marvin Lewis, CIN, 2003-2018 2 2
Bill Cowher, PIT, 1992-2006 2

Coaches simply don't last in the NFL, where they have to keep their message fresh, keep hitting on the right players in the draft and in free agency, keep adapting their schemes and keep both their bosses and fans happy.

Over the past five weeks, we've seen Lewis fired after 16 years as head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals and Mike McCarthy dismissed during his 13th season as head coach of the Green Bay Packers.

Hall of Fame coaches Bill Walsh and John Madden both left after 10 years with the 49ers and Raiders, respectively. Vince Lombardi coached only nine years in Green Bay. Chuck Noll won four Super Bowls in his first 11 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers -- then only won 10 games once over his final 12 seasons.

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